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Study & Living Fees

Study and living fees do vary depending on what course and institution you study at and where you live.    

The British Government stipulate that all students must be able to demonstrate that they either have sufficient funds at their disposal or that they will be sponsored by an individual or organisation, and that the source of funds is a reliable one.

The British Council, which promotes British Education around the globe, estimates student living costs for 2006/7 as:

London:

• Academic year: £7,500
• Per calendar month: £800

Outside London:

• Academic year: £5,500
• Per calendar month: £600

These figures are not exact and should be used as a guide only. The Entry Clearance Office at the British High Commission or Consulate should always assess an application for a student visa on the applications merits. Offer letters from educational establishments often contain an estimated cost for living expenses, which you should use as a good guide to your funding requirement.

The Rules state that applicants must be able to support themselves and any dependants without working. This means that while there is provision for students to take employment during term holidays or spare time no account may be taken of any prospective earnings from that employment in assessing the ability of a student to meet the maintenance requirement, except where the educational establishment with which the student has a place:

• is a publicly funded institution of further or higher education which is itself providing and guaranteeing the employment, and has provided details of how much the applicant will earn; (in the case of sandwich course students) is able to guarantee that there are jobs available and how much, if anything, the applicant will earn

Similarly, the potential earnings of the spouse or partner of a student may not be taken into account unless he/she is already legally employed in the UK e.g. as a work permit holder.

One very important point should be made here which is students are not required to pay their course fees before entry clearance may be granted: they only need to demonstrate the ability to pay. Some institutions make provision for students to stagger payment of fees throughout the academic year; others may defer payment.

No further enquiries into payment of fees needs to be made if the student produces a letter from an institution of further or higher education stating that the financial requirements have been met. But, in the absence of such a letter, the applicant will have to demonstrate how the cost of the student fees will be covered.

Where a child is attending an independent fee-paying school the evidence of funds should either be in the form of documentary evidence that the parents' are able to pay the fees or a letter from the school bursar confirming the fees have been paid. If it is not clear from the evidence provided that the parents are able to meet the costs for the full period for which entry clearance is sought then additional evidence should be sought. Where this requirement of the Rules is not met the application falls to be refused.

There is no requirement for a student to demonstrate that he has booked accommodation in advance. However he will need to demonstrate that the accommodation requirement of the Immigration Rules are met and provide evidence of his ability to meet the cost of adequate accommodation, including for dependants if appropriate.